
NorEs.—"An equally great temptation would confront slaves when their
masters became Christians. They would be assured of their equality before
God, and of their common brotherhood in Christ. Presuming upon these rela-
tionships they might be inclined to show toward their masters unbecoming
familiarity and contempt."—"The
Pastoral Epistles of Paul," Charles R. Erd-
man,
p. 69.
Dr. Adam Clarke says: "The civil state in which a man was before his con-
version is not altered by that conversion ; nor does the grace of God absolve
him from any claims which either the state or his neighbor may have on him.
All these outward things continue unaltered."
4.
In what language did Paul elsewhere give similar counsel? 1 Cor.
7:20-24.
5.
Whose words or counsel was Paul in reality expressing? 1 Tim. 6:3.
6.
What is said of the spirit and knowledge of those who teach differ-
ently? Verse 4, first part.
7.
What is the fruitage of idle speculation and arguments about words?
Verse 4, last part; verse 5, first part.
NoTE.—"Paul, with righteous anger, flames out against these perverse men,
who, using the name of Christ, substitute their shortsighted views of life for
His, throw doubt and discredit upon the teaching of His chosen apostles and
servants, stir up discord, excite party spirit, barring, often hopelessly, the
onward march of Christianity. The true
,
Christian teaching is healthy, prac-
tical, capable of being carried out by all orders in the state, by every age or
sex, by bond and free. The spurious Christian maxims of these men deal with
subtle, useless, unpractical questions, which have no influence on ordinary
life, and only tend to stir up strife and useless inquiry, and to make men dis-
contented and rebellious. These unhappy men he first characterizes as `proud:'
literally, blinded with pride."—"A
New Testament Commentary," C. J. Ellicott.
8.
How is godliness or religion regarded by these corrupt disputers?
What attitude should Timothy take toward them? Verse 5, last part.
9.
What is godliness with contentment declared to be? Verse 6.
10.
What two evident but oft-forgotten truths does Paul mention?
Verse 7. -
•
NoTE.—"Paul declares, 'Godliness with contentment is great gain.' Although
rich persons may devote their whole lives to the one object of getting riches,
yet as they brought nothing into the world, they can carry nothing out. They
must die and leave that which cost them so much labor to obtain. They staked
their all, their, eternal interest, to obtain this property, and have lost both
worlds."—"Testimonies," vol.
1, p. 541.
11.
With what should we be satisfied? Verse 8.
NorE.—"Gbdrcannot approve of the least degree of covetousness or selfish-
ness, and He abhors the prayers and exhortations of those who indulge these
evil traits. As Satan sees that his time is short, he leads men on to be more and
more selfish and Covetous, and then exults as he sees them wrapped up in them-
selves, ddie, penurious 'and selfish. If the eyes of such could be opened, they
would see Satan in hell
ish triumph, exulting over them, and laughing at the
folly of those who accept his suggestions and enter his snares. . . . Every self-
ish, covetous person will fall out by the
way."—"Early Writings,"
pp. 268, 269.
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